Impact of a Psychological Stratified Intervention on Anxiety, Depression, and Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically investigate the efficacy of a psychological stratified intervention in alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms and optimizing pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women.

METHODS

A prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Between March and July 2024, 80 pregnant women who underwent prenatal care registration at Suzhou Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and tested positive for anxiety or depression [scoring ≥ 5 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) or ≥ 9 on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS)] were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated into an intervention group (n=40), who received a customized psychological stratified intervention, and a control group (n=40), who received conventional nursing care. The primary outcomes included changes in anxiety/depression scores, whereas secondary outcomes encompassed pregnancy-related metrics, such as the incidence of postpartum hemorrhages.

RESULTS

The intervention group demonstrated significantly lower EPDS scores than the control group during the third-trimester and postpartum follow-up phases (both P<0.05). Notably, the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

The psychological stratified intervention, as an evidence-based, tiered psychological support approach, effectively mitigates late-pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms, enhances maternal mental health, and reduces the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. These findings underscore its potential as a valuable addition to antenatal care protocols and support its widespread implementation in clinical settings.